The intervention of cannabinoid receptor in chronic and acute kidney disease animal models: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract Aim Cannabinoid receptors are components of the endocannabinoid system that affect various physiological functions. We aim to investigate the effect of cannabinoid receptor modulation on kidney disease. Methods PubMed, Web of Science databases, and EMBASE were searched. Articles selection, data extraction and quality assessment were independently performed by two investigators. The SYRCLE’s RoB tool was used to assess the risk of study bias, and pooled SMD using a random-effect model and 95% CIs were calculated. Subgroup analyses were conducted in preselected subgroups, and publication bias was evaluated. We compared the effects of CB1 and CB2 antagonists and/or knockout and agonists and/or genetic regulation on renal function, blood glucose levels, body weight, and pathological damage-related indicators in different models of chronic and acute kidney injury. Results The blockade or knockout of CB1 could significantly reduce blood urea nitrogen [SMD,− 1.67 (95% CI − 2.27 to − 1.07)], serum creatinine [SMD, − 1.88 (95% CI − 2.91 to − 0.85)], and albuminuria [SMD, − 1.60 (95% CI − 2.16 to − 1.04)] in renal dysfunction animals compared with the control group. The activation of CB2 group could significantly reduce serum creatinine [SMD, − 0.97 (95% CI − 1.83 to − 0.11)] and albuminuria [SMD, − 2.43 (95% CI − 4.63 to − 0.23)] in renal dysfunction animals compared with the control group. Conclusions The results suggest that targeting cannabinoid receptors, particularly CB1 antagonists and CB2 agonists, can improve kidney function and reduce inflammatory responses, exerting a renal protective effect and maintaining therapeutic potential in various types of kidney disease.